The 8-man stands at the very back of the scrum. There is only one on the field for a team at one time.

Responsibilities

In the Scrum

  • Organize the scrum's push
    • Often the forward captain
  • Control the ball when it comes back
  • Protect the scrum half when s/he is passing

In General Play

  • Follow the ball around, to support the runner
  • Be ready to run the ball into the other team's defense
  • Be ready to tackle the other team's big players
  • Be active in the ruck

In the Lineout

  • Stands at the back of the lineout
    • Often the tackler when the other team throws in/steals the lineout